MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama (3-6, 1-3 Sun Belt) hosts Louisiana-Monroe (5-5, 3-2) at 6 p.m. Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, with both teams coming off 42-14 losses. A statistical look at South Alabama vs. Louisiana-Monroe shows two teams ranked side by side in many Sun Belt Conference categories.
The Jaguars have lost three straight, most recently at Navy in Annapolis, Md., where the Midshipmen rushed for 351 yards with their triple-option offense. Louisiana-Monroe’s three-game winning streak ended with a 42-14 loss to Arkansas State.
South Alabama has played nine games, while the rest of the conference has played 10, except Troy, which has played 11.
Offense
- Scoring: South Alabama is fifth at 27.7 points per game; ULM is seventh at 22.2.
- Total offense: South Alabama is fifth at 421.9 yards per game; ULM is sixth at 365.6.
- Rushing: South Alabama is fifth at 158.0 yards per game; ULM is seventh at 128.1.
- Passing: South Alabama is third at 263.9 yards per game; ULM is fifth at 237.5.
- Pass efficiency: South Alabama is fifth with a 129.7 rating; ULM is eighth at 110.7.
- Third down: South Alabama converts 37.5 percent; ULM converts 37.2 percent.
- Sacks allowed: South Alabama has allowed a league-low 14 in nine games; ULM is third with 16 allowed in 10 games.
- Red zone offense: South Alabama is sixth, scoring on 28 of 37 trips (75.7 percent); ULM is eighth at 21 of 34 (61.8 percent).
Defense
- Scoring defense: South Alabama is fifth, allowing 29.2 points per game; ULM is sixth at 29.8.
- Total defense: South Alabama is fifth at 420.0 yards allowed per game; ULM is sixth at 422.7.
- Rushing defense: ULM is sixth at 188.7 yards allowed per game; South Alabama is seventh at 194.7.
- Pass defense: South Alabama is second at 225.3 yards allowed per game; ULM is fourth at 234.0.
- Pass efficiency defense: ULM is second at 122.3; South Alabama is fifth at 137.1.
- Interceptions: ULM is tied for third with nine; South Alabama is tied for fifth with eight.
- Sacks: South Alabama is second with 22 in nine games; ULM is seventh with 13 in 10 games.
- Third-down defense: ULM leads the league, allowing 35.8 percent; South Alabama is fourth at 41.3 percent.
- Red zone defense: ULM leads, allowing scores on 26 of 35 trips (74.3 percent); South Alabama is eighth at 32 of 37 (86.5 percent).
Special Teams
- Kickoff returns: South Alabama is third at 22.2 yards per return; ULM is fifth at 20.5.
- Punt returns: ULM is fourth at 9.7 yards; South Alabama is last at 6.1.
- Punting: ULM is second at 39.0 yards per punt; South Alabama is sixth at 35.4.
- Field goals: South Alabama is fourth at 68.8 percent (11 of 16); ULM is last at 50 percent (4 of 8).
Other Categories
- Penalties: ULM leads the league at 40.4 yards per game; South Alabama is third at 45.9. Each team has been flagged 51 times.
- Time of possession: ULM is sixth at 29:17 per game; South Alabama is seventh at 28:55.
- Turnover margin: South Alabama is even, with 11 gained and 11 lost. ULM is sixth at minus-8, with 15 gained and 23 lost, including 14 interceptions.
Injury Note and How to Follow
Wes Saxton may be available after spraining an ankle against Navy.
The game will be televised on the Sun Belt Network and streamed on ESPN3. Radio play-by-play will air on WNSP 105.5 FM and online at wnsp.com.
